Distress Signal:
How to signal for help.

The International Distress Signal is something everyone should know. Anyone who is likely to find themselves in a survival situation should know how to summons help.

Not only could an accident or illness happen to you at any time, but you should be able to recognise a distress signal when given by someone else in trouble.

If you are in trouble and require assistance give the following signal.

Six blasts on a whistle (or six shouts, or six flashes of a torch) should be given.

Wait for one minute.

Then repeat the six blasts, shouts or flashes.

If your signals are heard, there should be an answering signal of three blasts on a whistle (or three shouts or flashes), followed by a pause of one minute, repeated several times.

Please remember that unless you really require assistance,

You should not do anything that could be mistaken for a distress signal.

A good item of equipment to take with you on a outdoor expedition is an emergency survival bag.

These are orange in colour, this being the internationally recognised colour for signalling that aid is required.

They are waterproof and can be used as an emergency bivvi bag, or just to store your gear.

They also usually have the international distress signal printed on them, so you have no excuse for forgetting it!